Catwalk fall kills two at Oakley Caruthersville terminal

Caruthersville, Mo.-Two workers died last month after falling from a catwalk at Oakley Fertilizer Inc.’s Caruthersville, Mo., fertilizer terminal located at the Pemiscot County Port Authority, according to local news reports. One of the victims, Nicholas W. “Nick” McCormick, 25, of Rogersville, Mo., died at the scene of the accident on Sept. 7. The other victim, whose name was not available, was airlifted to The Regional Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., but news reports confirmed on Sept. 10 that he had also died from his injuries. The Daily Dunklin Democrat in Kennett, Mo., said McCormick was a heavy equipment operator at Oakley’s Caruthersville location. The Democrat reported that McCormick was pronounced dead at the scene after falling from a catwalk inside the plant. The second victim was treated by medical personnel as local fire officials prepared a landing zone for an emergency helicopter to airlift him to Memphis. Sources with the company had no comment, confirming only that the accident had occurred. In addition to the Caruthersville location, Oakley Fertilizer has terminals at North Little Rock, Ark., Morrilton, Ark., Pendleton, Ark., and Shreveport, La. Funeral services for McCormick were held Sept. 11 in Rogersville.